Local motel gets a facelift
Roy Cavanaugh recently purchased the Village Inn Motel in Crystal River,
and is in the process of doing some extreme makeovers both inside and out.
Cavanaugh wants to maintain the rustic appeal of the motel, while attracting
upscale clientele with nice renovations.
New proprietor upgrades former Village Inn Motel with many inside, outside renovations
Ashley Sorrell
asorrell@chronicleonline.com
The former Village Inn Motel in
Crystal River has undergone a name
change, and an extreme makeover: motel edition.
Roy Cavanaugh bought the motel -
now dubbed the Crystal Manatee -
April 19, and saw its potential as a point of
pride for Crystal River.
“I felt it was a great opportunity to
work with the city to change the
motel into a more upscale area.” Cavanaugh said.
“The location of the motel is prime and
in the heart of Crystal River.”
Crystal River City Commissioner
Susan Kirk said Cavanaugh is already
creating a positive atmosphere
with the motel renovations.
“I am very pleased to have
Mr. Cavanaugh in our community,”
Kirk said. “He’s looking at
assimilating into the city.”
Kirk said the Crystal Manatee
joined the chamber of commerce and
there are many ways the city will
benefit from his presence.
During the renovations, Cavanaugh
said he reroofed, repainted and
landscaped the outside of the building.
Most notably, a manatee-shaped mailbox
and statue will adorn the front
and side of the motel.
But Cavanaugh focused more on
the individual motel rooms. He said
he gutted the rooms and installed
new carpeting, furniture, fixtures
and appliances.
Cavanaugh said he kept the rustic
look of the Village Inn Motel, but
changed the name of the motel to the
Crystal Manatee because the name is
more indicative of the city and its
attractions.
“I feel strongly about how this
motel fits into the community,” he
said. “It is important for it to mesh
with the community by keeping a
rustic look.”
Cavanaugh said it is important
for the motel to portray a
positive image in the community.
“Quality is at the top of my list,”
he said. “I will not run a
motel that is anything less than
top quality and premiere customers.”
Through the help of his
property manager, John O’Dell,
Cavanaugh said he is
positive his clientele are
upscale and will help the
motel to portray a positive
image. Cavanaugh said his
market area is focusing on the
upscale clientele to change the
image of the motel.
The Crystal Manatee is an
extended-stay motel, which
features fully equipped
kitchens in every room, among
other amenities.
“The rooms have everything
people need to stay here on a
long-term basis,” Cavanaugh said.
Cavanaugh is halfway
through with the renovations.
He said he hopes to be 95
percent of the renovations
complete within the next few weeks.
“I love to take on projects
and turn them around into a
glowing piece of property,”
Cavanaugh said.
Once the renovations are
complete, Cavanaugh estimates
the total cost will exceed
$300,000.
This motel represents a lot
of the heritage of Crystal
River,” he said. “We are in
full-court press to get
everything completed.”